GBR Match Race Girls

Ten strong teams met at St Quay on the north Brittany coast for the European Women’s Match Racing Championship from 9–13 September. Lucy Macgregor and her team of Ally Martin, Imogen Wellington and Holly King improved all week to win the Championship in a tense a 5 race match with Italian Sabrini Gurioli and her team.

Sport Nautique St Quay Portrieux ran a superb event. They provided 10 first class 8 boats and spares so that all the teams could sail all the time. Racing was held near to the shore to give the spectators a grand stand view and weather was generally warm and sunny with breezes between 5 and 15 knots.

For two days the teams sailed a double round robin giving plenty of time to get used to the boats. Racing was very tight with only the team of Anne-Claire Le Berre getting substantially away from the rest. Two teams were eliminated from the draw for the quarter finals and, of course, all the others teams were back on level terms again.

At this stage Macgregor and team started to excel. Two 3–0 wins against Christelle Phillipe of France and current world ranked number 2 Lotte Meldgarde Pedersen of Denmark gave them some resting time. Gurioli had longer and more tense matches against Silke Hahlbrock, world ranked 3, and then Le Berre.

The final was sailed in 12–15 knots of breeze. Racing was extremely tight with boat handling at a premium. But in the end a good spinnaker hoist at the final windward mark gave Macgregor’s team just enough space to take the final race and the championship.

Overall Results:

1. Lucy Macgregor (GBR)
2. Sabrini Gurioli (ITA)
3. Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA)
4. Lotte Meldgaard Petersen (DEN)
5. Julie Bossard (FRA)
6. Silke Hahlbrok (GER)
7. Christelle Phillipe (FRA)
8. Rita Goncalves (POR)
9. Sandra Azon (ESP)
10. Maija Saijonmaa (FIN)

Tags: 2008, European Championships, First Class 8, St Quay

Comments are currently closed.